Ramblings of an Anonymous Coward

In Your Honor

the foo fighters new cd in your honor is due out in just a little less than two weeks (6/14). i have had a copy on pre-order via amazon for at least a month, but recently had the opportunity to listen to an advance copy.

read on to get my overall thoughts and a tune-by-tune breakdown of the foo fighters latest offering.

at first listen, frankly, i was a little disappointed. i'll chalk that up to unrealistic expectations especially since dave grohl himself has touted the title that should be to the foo's what physical graffiti was for led zepplin. but this cd is growing on me ... fast. the more you listen to the lyrics, the more you get from the tracks. the more you feel the music. it is subtle. it is complex. and at time same time so simple. better than one by one? different for sure, but better? we'll see.

i really like the seperation of their acoustic/ballads onto a second cd which really shows the range of dave grohl and the foo's. all in all, this two-cd set will be a success, and i don't for a second regret making the purchase and will continue to follow grohl's music where ever that leads.

CD #1 (Rock)

1. In Your Honor - the track matching the set's title is an excellent entry tune -- something you would expect to hear as the opening song at a concert -- setting you up for the rockin' sure to come. grohl growls out "can you hear me? hear me screaming" as the beat builds up to some strong drumming and speed-metal like riffs.
2. No Way Back - classic sounding foo fighter rocking. this tune along with many others on the cd is filled with lyrics that seem as if grohl is almost obsessed with moving on from unknown problems. dave opens up the tune ... i been living in my head , the rest of me is dead... and emphasizes in the chorus "there's no way back from here, but i don't care". the more i hear this song, the more it seeps into your being.
3. Best Of You - their early-release single will certainly have the most appeal to non-foo fans opens with grohl opening with "i've got a confession to make..." and continues share his heart-wrenching experience. this tune has gotten plenty of airplay and will continue to be one of the more recognized titles in the set, and as far as early releases go -- good choice -- so the song doesn't have to fight with other songs for play.
4. DOA - the cd remains strong with classic foo fighter lyrics:

   i went down and i fell, i fell so fast
   dropping like a grain in an hour glass
   never say forever 'cause nothing lasts
   dancing with the bones of my very past
   
   never mind there's nothing I could do
   bet your life there's something killing you.
   
   It's a shame we have to die my dear
   No-one's getting out of here alive
   

   and if you aren't paying special attention, the tune flows smoothly into the next track.
5. Hell - the shortest song in the set, just under 2 minutes, seems like almost a continuation of DOA. in fact, while listening to it in iTunes i didn't catch the change as i was tapping out this review.
6. The Last Song - midway through the first cd, grohl lets it be know "this is the last song that i will dedicate to you. made my peace and now i'm through". the saga continues.
7. Free Me - stars with heavy-metal like riffs that move to the background as more traditional foo-style music is brought forward. for those that prefer the heavier sounds, this will be your song as grohl belts out the song title in a near scream. definitely a song that would have fit well into their 1995 self-titled album.
8. Resolve - slowing things down, we find "a little bit of resolve, is what i need now" adds some softer rock giving the listener a bit of a break from early angst -- very much mid-concert material allowing you to catch your breathe and poising itself for a hard finish.
9. The Deepest Blues Are Black - picking the tempo back up a little bit this track has the band jamming with a more intense beat, but grohl for the most part keeps the vocals fairly smooth through the end. i really like the title of this song, but i'm afraid it will be the forgotten track.
10. End Over End - as i hear "end over end, i'm circling" my first thought was -- dave, dude, what happened to track 6 being "the last song". circling can certainly describe this song as the verses are short and the chorus is frequent and easy to get into. this was played in their uk tour and i expect it will be at bfd next week. not that i'm going. :-(

end over end was a fitting track to the rock cd, but not the knockout punch you might expect from a single cd. it does; however, lead nicely into cd two of two and this is a set afterall.

CD #2 (Acoustic)

1. Still - no, not the lionel ritchie hit, but a smooth melodic tune from grohl and company. filled with promises and the eventual resolve of "never mind what's done was done / always was a lucky one" the song ticks by like the clock in the background.
2. What If I Do? - the most touching ballad in the set, reminding me of the acoustic version of everlong, but with a softer tone. features little to no drumming and the gentle strum of the guitar. i don't think it will catch on the same was as everlong, but for those it touches, the lyrics will echo in their minds.
3. Miracle - john paul jones (yes, that jpj) joins the band in the studio to play piano on this easy going track. the violin brought in gives the song a nice touch making for good bed-time music.
4. Another Round - john paul jones is back again, this time on the mandolin. grohl continues to show his breadth as a vocalist letting his softer range ask someone "lets go another round, i will follow you down and out". and how 'bout that harmonica!
5. Friend Of A Friend - ok, i have to call it like i see it, but this is probably the weakest track of the entire set. i'm not sure why this song is here except perhaps to round out both cds at ten tracks each. and hey, i'd just end up getting it whenever the foo release their version of "with lights out".
6. Over And Out - picking up the beat a little again, features grohl asking "are you there? do you read me? are you there? i don't feel you anymore". the acoustic version of "The Last Song"?
7. On The Mend -- "close your eyes and stay a while and take me when you go" -- keeps the soft vocal trend going and shows that the foo can in fact create more than one ballad worthy of play time.
8. Virginia Moon - Much anticipated by myself, this track is a collaboration with norah jones. as expected it has a norah jazzy tempo with what can only be described as come-hither lyrics. it has been said that this song may wind up being the foo's very own "the girl from ipanema". who am i to argue?
9. Cold Day In The Sun - drummer taylor hawkins takes the mic and grohl slips back behind the drum kit -- so you know the sticks will be hitting the pads a little more on this track. hawkins singing is fairly upbeat compared to the previous songs and is more integrated with the band than grohl's venture into vocals singing merigold with nirvana.
10. Razor - josh homme (queens of the stone age) brings his guitar to join dave grohl on the final track. the qotsa leader picks his stops to change the tempo just right, complementing grohls voice at just the right moment. the song itself is a bit haunting and to me has a bit of an eerie feel.

    Patience my dear
    We could spend a lifetime waiting here
    Maybe this time
    I hope I get the chance to say goodbye
    
    Sweet and divine, Razor of mine
    Sweet and divine, Razor of mine
    

    i can see this track being used in a movie -- something like "united states of leland" or alike. i like the ending and find myself wanting to tell dave to hang in there, everything will be alright.

the acoustic cd had its weak points, but all in all -- from a alternative/grunge/rock band -- its a hit. time will tell if this becomes the album they are remembered for. in the mean time i'm going to just sit and enjoy their work. now where are my headphones?

Posted by ac at June 4, 2005 02:15 PM